The Most Popular Drink in Every State — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Welcome to Eat This Not That’s guide to the most popular drink in every state! From classic cocktails to regional specialties, this guide will take you on a journey across the United States to discover the unique and beloved drinks that each state has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summertime beverage or a cozy winter warmer, you’re sure to find something to quench your thirst. So, grab a glass and let’s get started!

The Most Popular Drink in Every State — Eat This Not That

When it comes to drinks, everyone has their own favorite. But what about the most popular drink in each state? We’ve done the research to find out which drinks are the most popular in each state, so you can make sure you’re always sipping on the right thing.

Alabama: Sweet Tea

It’s no surprise that sweet tea is the most popular drink in Alabama. This classic Southern beverage is a staple in the state, and it’s easy to see why. Sweet tea is refreshing, easy to make, and pairs perfectly with a plate of fried chicken.

Alaska: Coffee

Alaska is known for its cold weather, so it’s no surprise that coffee is the most popular drink in the state. Whether it’s a hot cup of joe or an iced latte, Alaskans love their coffee.

Arizona: Margarita

When it comes to drinks, nothing says Arizona like a margarita. This classic tequila-based cocktail is the perfect way to cool off in the hot desert sun. Whether you prefer it frozen or on the rocks, a margarita is the perfect way to enjoy a night out in Arizona.

Arkansas: Sweet Tea

Just like Alabama, sweet tea is the most popular drink in Arkansas. This classic Southern beverage is a staple in the state, and it’s easy to see why. Sweet tea is refreshing, easy to make, and pairs perfectly with a plate of fried chicken.

California: Wine

California is known for its wine, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most popular drink in the state. Whether you prefer a crisp white or a bold red, California has something for everyone. So grab a glass and enjoy the best of what California has to offer.

Colorado: Craft Beer

Colorado is known for its craft beer, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most popular drink in the state. From IPAs to stouts, Colorado has something for everyone. So grab a pint and enjoy the best of what Colorado has to offer.

Conclusion

No matter what state you’re in, there’s sure to be a popular drink that you can enjoy. From sweet tea in Alabama to craft beer in Colorado, there’s something for everyone. So grab a glass and enjoy the best of what each state has to offer.

Eat This, Not That! is reader-supported and every product we feature is independently vetted
by our editors. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Sure, soda isn’t the best thing in the world for you. And energy drinks and fruit juice aren’t the greatest, either. But if you’re a supporter of the “everything in moderation” mentality, you might indulge in a sweetened beverage from time to time. You could, of course, go for a classic drink like Coke or Pepsi—or you could go with a regional beverage like Cheerwine or Faygo.

And if you’re curious about what everyone else in your state is drinking, you’re in luck! We used Google Trends to find the most popular drink in every state. Based on looking at the topic “Soft Drinks” in each state through Google Trends, we were able to see what the most popular searched drinks are for each state. We then looked at popular related topics within this category for each state to determine the most popular searched drink. (For some states, Dr Pepper Cream Soda was at the top because it launched in March 2020, which was part of the time frame we used for the data collection. We excluded that for variety, but the new drink is worth a try if you’re a Dr Pepper fan.)

Many are sodas, but some states preferred drinks like lemonade or sweet tea. Here’s every state’s most-searched beverage—did your favorite make the cut? (Plus, check out The Best & Worst Sodas in America—Ranked!)

Dr pepper on ice
Shutterstock

A tried-and-true classic, Dr Pepper (yes, it’s stylized without the period) has many fans in Alabama. And while Alabamans may claim this soda now, its roots lie in Texas. A pharmacist invented the cinnamon-flavored soda in 1885 in Waco, Texas—there’s even a Dr Pepper Museum in its honor.

And for more food news, sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

$21 for 18 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Red bull energy drink
Shutterstock

Nope, soda isn’t the most popular drink in The Last Frontier! Alaskans prefer Red Bull, which now comes in flavors like coconut berry and tropical.

$33.49 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

case of tab soda

Yes, Tab is still around! This soda, originally introduced in the 1960s, still has loyal fans, especially in Arizona.

$39.08 for 36 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

glass of ginger ale on wooden cutting board with ginger root lemon lime and mint leaves
Shutterstock

The go-to cure for a stomachache, ginger ale really does hit the spot. Arkansas residents know what’s up!

$22.90 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

orange cream soda float
Shutterstock

Whether Californians are referring to Barq’s or to homemade cream soda, they’re definitely onto something. Vanilla cream soda is a delicious treat, and it pairs well with any summer food.

Iced tea
Shutterstock

Sweet tea isn’t just a Southern delight! Coloradoans are searching for this summertime drink, too.

RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!

squirt ruby red soda can

Squirt was created in Arizona, but it’s popular in Connecticut, too. The drink is citrus-flavored and caffeine-free—and, yes, that does sound a lot like Sprite.

Dr pepper in water
Shutterstock

The doctor strikes again! Delaware residents can’t get enough of this unique soda.

$21 for 18 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

squirt grapefruit soda can

Squirt is more popular than you might think! Florida joins Connecticut in its love for this citrus soda.

bottles of nehi fruit soda

This soft drink has been around for decades, although you may never have heard of it. Today, you can buy Nehi in a variety of fruit flavors, like peach, orange, and grape.

$10.99 for 3 bottles
at Amazon

Buy Now

Diet coke on ice
Shutterstock

Hawaii residents like to cool off with a classic drink! Diet Coke is a mainstay among popular sodas, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most-searched beverage in multiple states.

$9.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Woman drinking diet coke
Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock

Idaho is another state that loves Diet Coke. Maybe it pairs well with those Idaho potatoes?

$9.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

jarritos mandarin soda bottle

You probably have a friend who swears by Mexican coke. But what about Mexican fruit soda? Jarritos comes in many delicious fruit flavors, and it’s the perfect complement to a plate of tacos.

$20.19 for 6 bottles
at Amazon

Buy Now

sierra mist soda can

Tonic water was technically Indiana’s most-search drink. But we don’t consider that a soft drink, so we’re going with the runner-up, Sierra Mist. Some may say it’s just PepsiCo’s answer to Sprite, but real fans know the two are completely different.

$19.38 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

cases of squirt soda
David Tonelson/Shutterstock

That’s three states that love Squirt! If you haven’t tried this soda yet, this list just might convince you to give it a shot.

orange fanta soda can

Kansas does, indeed, want a Fanta. We just want to know if Kansans love the classic orange flavor best or if they gravitate toward the other fruit options, like lemon and pineapple.

$20.30 for 18 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

root beer floats in glass mugs
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Root beer: You either love it or hate it. Many Kentucky residents, though, fall into the former camp. More root beer floats for them!

$19.77 for 15 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

sprite soda can

The classic lemon-lime soda, Sprite had to make an appearance on this list. We wouldn’t mind enjoying this soda with a nice Po’Boy sandwich.

$18.99 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

root beer in glass mug
Shutterstock

Maine is another state in favor of root beer. A&W for the win.

$19.77 for 15 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

jones soda bottles
David Tonelson/Shutterstock

Jones soda was created in Canada, but Maryland residents love the stuff, too. It comes in flavors like berry lemonade, strawberry lime, and green apple.

$27.65 for 4 bottles
at Amazon

Buy Now

Mountain dew soda
cpaulfell/Shutterstock

Massachusetts residents love to “do the Dew.” We hope every can brings as much joy as this 2015 Super Bowl commercial for Mountain Dew Kickstart.

$25.94 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

slurpee machines
Shutterstock

A 7-11 classic, Slurpees are the ultimate frozen treat. Michigan knows what’s up.

bottle of orange soda poured into glass
Shutterstock

Whether you go with Fanta or Sunkist, orange soda is a treat that’s delicious for kids of all ages.

$26.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

can of sunkist orange soda

Mississippi won’t settle for just any old soda—they need Sunkist. What better drink to enjoy alongside a hot dog or hamburger on a warm summer day?

$26.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Faygo pop
Shutterstock

Faygo is based in Michigan, but Missouri loves this soda, too. Try the peach flavor!

$22.90 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Montana residents are searching for Pepsi more than they are for Coke! You do you, Montana.

$4.29 for 10 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

cans of sprite with sliced lemons and limes
Shutterstock

If you live in Nebraska, there’s a fair chance you’ve Googled this lemon-lime soda. Hey, it’s caffeine-free!

$18.99 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

orange crush soda can

Lest you think Sunkist and Fanta have cornered the market on orange soda, Crush is here to prove you wrong. Don’t like orange? Crush also comes in other flavors, including watermelon and peach.

$34.95 for 12 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

diet coke original

Whether you’re pairing Diet Coke with popcorn while watching a movie or you’re drinking a can of it with your lunch, there’s no wrong way to consume this classic drink.

Read more: We Tasted 9 Diet Sodas & This Is the Best

$9.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

monster worst energy drink
Shutterstock

Not into Red Bull? There’s another energy drink to catch your eye: Monster. Doesn’t the name just sound like it’ll give you energy?

$33.99 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

canada dry ginger ale can

The only question is, are New Mexico residents fans of Schweppes or Canada Dry?

$22.90 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

bottles of faygo soda
Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock

New York is another state that loves this Michigan-born soda.

$22.90 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

root beer in glass

North Carolina’s most-searched soda isn’t Cheerwine or Pepsi, though both were born in the state. Instead, North Carolinians love root beer.

$19.77 for 15 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

While other states prefer Diet Coke, those in North Dakota enjoy Coke Zero.

$29.25 for 24 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

case of faygo peach soda

If Google trends are any indication, Faygo is more popular than you’d think.

$22.90 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

strawberry cream soda with whipped cream
Shutterstock

We’d like to think Oklahoma residents are enjoying cream soda the Italian way, with plenty of fruit-flavored syrup.

dr pepper cherry soda can

The doctor is in! In Oregon, that is.

$21 for 18 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

iced tea
Shutterstock

Whether sweet or unsweetened, iced tea is the beverage of choice for those in Pennsylvania.

glass of orange soda with bottles in background
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

As this list has demonstrated, Rhode Island has plenty of orange soda options to choose from.

$29.95 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

nehi grape soda bottle

South Carolina is another state that’s a fan of Nehi and its delicious fruit flavors.

$10.99 for 3 bottles
at Amazon

Buy Now

root beer float on table
Shutterstock

Enjoying a root beer float at home? If you’re in South Carolina, you’re in good company.

$19.77 for 15 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Glasses of lemonade
Shutterstock

Is there anything better than an ice-cold lemonade enjoyed on your front porch? Tennessee does Southern living right.

fruit soda bottles
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the state’s affinity for cream soda.

watermelon crush soda can

Did you think we were done talking about Crush? Well, Utah has a surprise up its sleeve!

$28.95 for 18 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

raspberry cream soda
Tyler Olson/Shutterstock

Vermont is another state enthralled by cream soda, and we can’t blame them.

strawberry fanta soda can

The European soda has Virginians under its spell.

$20.30 for 18 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Green river bottle

This lime-flavored soda might not be as popular as Sprite, but it’s every bit as tasty.

$18.99 for 4 bottles
at Amazon

Buy Now

mountain dew code red soda can

You don’t have to live in the mountains to enjoy this bright-colored drink.

$25.94 for 24 cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

jolly good orange soda can
Keith Homan/Shutterstock

Jolly Good Soda is Wisconsin-made, and it’s the most popular drink on Google in the state, too. You can’t go wrong with any flavor of this local legend.

bottles of coke zero
Hafiz Johari/Shutterstock

Zero sugar and calories don’t mean zero taste—just ask Wyoming.

$29.25 for 24 mini cans
at Amazon

Buy Now

Whether or not you agree with your state’s pick, this list just might inspire you on your next trip to the grocery store.